I got my first look at the service (not counting opening weekend) tonight up in Wallingford. I was there yesterday evening, and saw a bunch of trains. I'll also give the ridership.
1. CTrail 4463, 6:15 PM- Wasn't at the station for this one, so I'm not sure what the ridership was.
2. CTrail 4414, 6:43 PM-This train had 3 cars open, and although only 8 people got off, the train was about 80% full, probably because it was going to Springfield so commuters from 3 more towns were onboard.
3. Amtrak 417, 6:46 PM-I think more people ride to New Haven via CTrail(connections) , but Hartford has more commuters. Over a dozen people got off here, and the train was still quarter-full.
4: CTrail 4466, 7:18 PM-This train had only 3 people get off, and only two cars were open. Those two cars were about 40% full.
5: Amtrak 494, 7:50 PM-I saw this one from my car.
6: Amtrak 479, 8:33 PM-I just missed this one, the crossing gates went down while I was at a red light.
7: Amtrak 412, 9:03 PM-This train was about half-full, and 1 person got off.
8: CTrail 4467, 9:10 PM-This train had 2 cars open and the cars that were open were about 20% full.
And that is it. Clearly ridership could be higher, and they need to improve service for people commuting to Hartford/Springfield, but the south of Hartford stations are nice. Ridership will only grow from here.
TRAIN(geek) APPROACHING, PLEASE REMAIN BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE